Dog owners face fine if they don't comply with this law

Stock picture.

Michael Broomhead

Dog owners face being fine up to £500 for failing to microchip their pets when new laws come into force next month.

The move is aimed at helping track the owners of dogs which attack people or other animals. Microchips will also help reunite owners with missing pets.

The new laws, which take effect on April 6, require all dogs in the UK aged eight weeks and over to have the chip implanted under the skin. Microchips are the size of a grain of rice and have a unique 15-digit code.